Jewish man blasted as ‘snitch’ badly beaten during Borough Park protests
A Hasidic Borough Park resident was beaten — and blasted as a “snitch” — as riots raged in the neighborhood over state-mandated restrictions imposed during a COVID-19 surge there.
Berish Getz, 34, was standing on top of a trailer early Wednesday, recording video, when someone in the crowd shouted, “This is Getz!,” according to a relative who did not want to be identified.
The crowd started yelling that he was recording video in order to “snitch” and demanded that he stop, according to the relative.
Getz jumped down to avoid any further harm — but that made matters worse as the entire mob ganged up on him and beat him, the family member said.
Police sources say three men hit him in the neck, head and face at 14th Avenue and 46th Street around 1:30 a.m.
One assailant struck him with a stick while the others continued throwing objects, according to the relative.
“This is my best brother. Critically injured by anti mask hasidic rioters. NOT RESPONSIVE!” Berish’s brother, Mordy Getz, tweeted. “We want full investigation and prosecution.”
Video obtained by The Post does not capture the assault, but shows the horde of protesters converging in one direction, one of them clearly yelling, “Snitch!”
The crowd also chanted in Hebrew, “All the wicked should be cut!,” The Forward reported.
He was taken to Maimonides Medical Center, initially with critical injuries, but his condition has stabilized, cops said.
Getz, who was wearing a mask, has advocated for others in the community to do the same, according to the report.
A photographer was also chased away and attacked by the crowd during the protests.